I received an email from Greg Taylor earlier today with the news that Ronald Wilcox had passed away unexpectedly overnight. “Mr. Wilcox” is a former band director of mine from Colonial Heights School. When I first moved to Kingsport in 1976, he was one of my favorite influences of the time and brought a lot of fun to music and he played a mean horn.
Ron Wilcox taught me for just two years, but during that time, I gathered plenty of respect for the man who loved to play trumpet and genuinely enjoyed his work as a band director. Reflecting on his influence, he may not have appreciated me that as much as I would like to think. My actions during his class always tested the limits. I remember surprising him with larger-than-life cartoons delivered in a ‘Don Martin Mad Magazine’ style and posting those images on the school walls. However flushed he appeared and with all the trouble, he always treated me with the utmost coolness.
Ron played in several bands in the region over the years lending his magnificant and proud trumpet style to everyone he worked with. I didn’t get to cross his path much over the years, but occasionally we would see each other, smile and he’d always ask if I was still playing music.
It’s important for me to say goodbye with Ron because I certainly was inspired to stay with the music through high school and he made it fun. His beautiful daughter would eventually introduce herself to me at the downtown drive-through at Citizens Bank. She recently gave birth to a new daughter a few months ago.
Ron was 56 years old and his funeral his this Friday at 9pm at East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport.
Continue to read Ron’s full obituary…
KINGSPORT — Ronald O. Wilcox died unexpectedly at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 2, 2007) at Indian Path Medical Center.
Born in Johnson City on Aug. 2, 1941, he was the son of the late Harry O. and Grace Treadway Wilcox. He had resided in this area his entire life.
Mr. Wilcox graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s in Music.
He was band director at Colonial Heights Middle School for 28 years and was a private horn instructor for over 30 years in the Kingsport area. He also played in the Charles Goodwin Band.
Mr. Wilcox was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy.
He was a member of the Colonial Heights Christian Church.
Ron felt very blessed to do in life what he loved the most, to play and teach music.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice D. Carrier Wilcox in 1994; and a sister, Barbara Jane Garland.
Survivors include his wife, Jimmie Lou Wilcox, of the home; two daughters, Angela Wilcox Hayes and husband, Michael of Kingsport and Susan Christian and husband, Chris of Kingsport; one son, Bradley Wilcox and wife, Rose of Johnson City; one step-daughter, Katie Parsons of Johnson City; one step-son, John Parsons and wife, Devin of Kingsport; five grandchildren, Brett Hayes, Josh Hayes, Aaron Hayes, Braedon Wilcox and Ty Christian; four step-grandchildren, Kathy Fowler, Gaige Frazier, Jonathan Hayes and Meagan B l a i r.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Colonial Heights Christian Church.
A memorial service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Hugh Thompson and Stan Leonard, ministers will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to ETSU Foundation, General Music Scholarship Fund in memory of Ron Wilcox, P.O. Box 70712, Johnson City, Tenn. 37614.
Please visit at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the Wilcox family.
East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.